Professional Storyteller, Jennifer Munro will perform a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society on December 6 at 7pm. \www.shorelineunitarian.org

Professional Storyteller, Jennifer Munro will perform a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society on December 6 at 7pm. \www.shorelineunitarian.org (Posted by mlstrieff, Community Contributor)

"In this digital, visual, technical age, the spoken word helps us use the part of our brains often unused - listening," says Jennifer Munro, professional storyteller and Madison resident. Adults will have the opportunity to hear Munro's dramatic reading of the classic "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, "the man who invented the modern Christmas," Saturday, December 6 (snow date, Dec. 7), at 7:00 p.m. at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Road, Madison.

Admission is $15 with advance reservations, and includes mulled wine and holiday treats at intermission. Tickets at the door are $20, if seats are available. Call 203-245-8720 or email office@shorelineunitarian.org

Born in a small English village "where children were seen, but never heard," Munro said this is how she learned the important arts of listening and watching. "I was fascinated by the power of the individual voice." Munro's career as a professional storyteller has included appearances as a feature teller at the National Storytelling Festival in historic Jonesborough, Tennessee; the Connecticut Storytelling Festival in New London; and R. J. Julia Booksellers in Madison. Other performances include Madison Lyric Stage.

The two-part dramatic reading of the Dickens story was created over 50 years ago at a community center in Palos Heights, Illinois. The center was owned by a hermit farmer, who later bequeathed it to a minister for a spiritual retreat center and working children's farm. A reading of this Dickens classic was at the heart of every Christmas celebration. Munro continued this tradition for many years. She discovered adults became lost in the story and how moved they were. Dickens words still have this power today.

Munro also writes her own material to perform and has recorded two award-winning CDs with stories of universal appeal. A university graduate with three majors - education, drama, and English literature -- Munro taught English for 11 years at Polson Middle School in Madison, as well as 10 years in Illinois.